Lead Sliver Found During Cleaning

[milsurpshooter]

I am very new to this forum, so I am not trying to be an authority. I am however wanting to share an experience from today's shooting. I was fortunate enough to spend part of the day at the range with my 1863 Springfield (Type I). I consider it a very nice example with an excellent bore (EX rifling with only light pitting deep in the breech). I ended up with about 35 shots using old style minie's (pure lead) with 50gr of FF Goex. Once back home, I decided to do a thorough cleaning by pulling the breech plug. I have had it out before and it certainly makes cleaning easier knowing that there's some pitting to deal with. However, after pushing through several patches, I noticed a small fingernail-sized piece of lead which had been extracted. This was my first experience with such a large piece of "fouling" and certainly got me to thinking. I started shooting muzzle loaders when I was young, my first was a repro 1863 Remington. I have always heard about blown skirts or pieces of fouling being stuck in the bore. But this was my first "known" experience.
- milsurpshooter

[RaiderANV]

The two main culprits are mini's where you missed seeing a wrinkle on the shirt and it blew off or the pitting caused drag and ripped it off. Usually has to be an imperfection in the round to begin.

[John Holland]

Any pitting in the breech area is suspect for pulling pieces off the skirt.

[jonk]

I wouldn't worry about it, unless it becomes a regular occurrence. You have a few examples of what might have caused it. I'd add that it could be a bit of flashing from the mold too, folded over into the base. I have one mold that will do that, where the bottom plug doesn't quite seal the lead flow perfectly (since retired). Add to that that lead is self-attracting, meaning if you had a spot that was leading, even if it wasn't tearing, it could have built up a ridge there and that ridge fell out when you removed the plug... though I think that a piece of skirt ripping or spalling off is the most likely culprit.

Welcome to the forum! I see you're in GA, I'm sure on of the teams down there would love to have you visit a skirmish if you haven't. We're always looking for new members, and even if you can't join, we're always looking to meet other BP enthusiasts.

Also: my first shooting love was milsurp rifles, and it remains something I am quite into yet. I like the handle. :D

[Michael Bodner]

Hey milsurpshooter!!

If you're interested is seeing the N-SSA in action, there will be skirmishes (the name of our competitive shooting events) in Statesville, NC (about 1 hour north of Charlotte) Labor Day weekend and Sept 17-18. I'd be happy to give you any assistance or answer any questions about the N-SSA.

I'm sure you've checked out the N-SSA home page and/or YouTube to see some videos...

Not sure exactly where in N Georgia you are (east or west), but we also have teams in Charleston, SC and all over Georgia too!

Let me know how we can help you!

-Mike